Quick hunt yields Civil War Eagle Breast Plate!

[HomeGuardDan]

I decided to recon a new site this morning. Almost twice, I tried to talk myself out of going until I finally just went for it. I knew this site would most likely not be colonial, but was hoping for mid to early 1800's. I have had luck in this general area looking for relics including some from the 1600's. I spent an hour roaming around checking likely spots and then BAM hit an iron patch. I continued to work it producing an axe head (early one too) fly covers to early padlocks, other odds and ends - nothing that had my complete attention. That was until I decided to turn back along the backside of one other ridge where out of no where popped up this nice Eagle plate. It was only 3-4" down and when it rolled out, i was sure it was another smashed tin can. Once I bent down to pick it up and felt the weight, i just knew what I had found. This is my second one in the last couple of months and are always fun to find.

HH

Dan

 

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[Zodiacdiverdave]

fantastic recovery Dan, that's a real monster.
ZDD

 

[beez0404]

I love how nonchalant you are having found that piece. If I found it I would be a content metal detectorist for at least a month or two....LOL Wonderful find!!!

 

[HomeGuardDan]

I love how nonchalant you are having found that piece. If I found it I would be a content metal detectorist for at least a month or two....LOL Wonderful find!!!

Ha ha, trust me, I was thrilled, very surprised indeed and enjoyed finding it.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Very nice.

 

[Old Dude]

You and Bill must have sites on par with the British ones! Congrats to you.

 

[voodoo]

Fantastic!!!!

 

[WheatWaffle]

Nice finds!

 

[joeyfresh]

Nice score Dan! Did your research indicate a camp there? If not then you and Bill are kings of the great random finds.

 

[pepperj]

Great looking plate Dan! Your hitting some really nice stuff this season.

 

[cjon455]

Great save there Dan!

Spectacular for a "short" hunt

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Nice score Dan! Did your research indicate a camp there? If not then you and Bill are kings of the great random finds.

There was troop activity in the area and I have found CW items randomly around the area at different sites...CS troops camped and skirmished down this road and US troops camped along it in various places. I do like the random finds though ha ha

 

[sandchip]

Great find and an early looking eagle. Any idea how old it is?

Just noticed you said Civil War. My bad. It just looks earlier to me, but I was going by the eagles on the historical flasks.

 

[villagenut]

Just goes to show, NEVER listen to yourself if you try talking yourself out of goin' out.....Nice one, love the patina!

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Great find and an early looking eagle. Any idea how old it is?

Just noticed you said Civil War. My bad. It just looks earlier to me, but I was going by the eagles on the historical flasks.

It is more like the 1826 pattern, but it is a civil war plate. They regulation was passed in 1826, though the vast majority of them were produced in the 1850s-1865.

 

[texjim]

Nice breast plate..

 

[terpfan]

What a beautiful,complete, eagle breast plate Dan! Its just great when something unexpected turns up. Was the plate found in a farm field? If so, it would be remarkable for such a plate to survive years of plowing. The two that I've found were both damaged, with much of the lead backing no longer remaining.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

What a beautiful,complete, eagle breast plate Dan! Its just great when something unexpected turns up. Was the plate found in a farm field? If so, it would be remarkable for such a plate to survive years of plowing. The two that I've found were both damaged, with much of the lead backing no longer remaining.

wooded area...has some rust showing through and the back is hacked up a bit (not from me, but the original owner cut several channels in the back)

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Nice score Dan! Did your research indicate a camp there? If not then you and Bill are kings of the great random finds.

Don't forget that huge 8 reale cob that you found last year that was totally unexpected.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

It doesn't seem to matter whether you're hunting close to home or on the road as you always seem to put yourself onto some great relics. Congrats on your little surprise.